Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 81 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X3’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 28 more horsepower (276 vs. 248) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (18.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (265/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the X3 (117.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 10.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (112.1 vs. 101.4).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 4 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 28.7 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 62.7 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is limited to 4400 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher standard payload capacity than the X3 (1091 vs. 902 lbs.).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1091 vs. 941 lbs.).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Atlas Cross Sport’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X3 by 60% during the 2021 model year.